The draft bill sets out a framework for moving the
UK to a low-carbon economy and establishing a post-2012 global emissions agreement.
Key points of the draft bill, include:
- UK targets for a 60 per cent CO2 reduction by 2050 and a 26 to 32 per cent reduction by 2020.
- These targets would be legally binding.
- A new system of five-year “carbon budgets”, set at least 15 years ahead.
- Creation of a new statutory body, to provide independent expert advice and guidance to government, the Committee on Climate Change.
- Annual reporting to Parliament by the Committee on Climate Change.
- New powers to enable the government to more easily implement policies to cut emissions.
- A requirement for government to report at least every five years on current and predicted impacts of climate change and on its proposals and policy for adapting to climate change.
The draft bill is subject to a full public consultation alongside pre-legislative scrutiny in Parliament. The closing date of the Consultation is 12 June.
Government has stated that the draft bill sets out a vision for how the UK can move to a low carbon economy including:
- Investment in low-carbon fuels and technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, wind, wave and solar power.
- Significantly more efficient use of energy.
- A step change in the way energy suppliers operate so that they focus on reducing demand rather than just supplying as much energy as possible.
- Consumers becoming producers as well as consumers of energy
EEF has issued a press release urging the government to continue the pursuit of a phased and flexible approach, at national and international level, towards hitting targets for reductions in emissions.
EEF believes that any new strategy must combine the need to reduce emissions with managing the impact on the economy. In this respect, EEF will be looking to the new Climate Change Committee to apply a ‘Competitiveness Test’ for any new measures introduced in the UK.